SARS
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
The University of Nottingham continues to constantly monitor the situation regarding
SARS, in consultation with the Consultant for Communicable Diseases in Nottingham,
Dr Richard Slack and the medical practitioners within the University health
service.
The University has recently provided a screening service to students whose
records show they are domiciled in Hong Kong, mainland China and Singapore.
This service has now ended but will be offered again should circumstances indicate
a need for it.
The University has maintained consultation with Dr Slack since the spread of
the infection was first publicised, as a means of ensuring that it followed
best practice.
The decision to proceed with teaching and the other activities of the University
is based on guidance from Dr Slack, and on the current policy of the British
Government in general, and the Department of Health in particular.
- Dr Slack believes that the numbers of students returning to Nottingham after
visits to
countries affected by SARS is small.
- In the case of Hong Kong, travellers are screened for SARS at the point
of departure.
- Returning students will have been given extensive information about SARS
and its symptoms and should know how to react if they believe they have the
symptoms of the infection. The guidance is also available on this website,
and has been circulated to all heads of academic schools, wardens of halls
of residence, Catering and Residential Services, and others who come into
daily contact with students.
Staff and students returning to Nottingham from affected areas have been advised
by Dr Slack to act responsibly in their social and professional contacts for
a period of ten days. Should they develop any symptoms linked to the infection,
they are being advised to seek urgent medical attention.
The contact number for the Cripps Health Centre from an internal extension
is 75. Any student detecting symptoms should also inform the warden of their
hall of residence or their tutor. The warden and/or tutor will confirm with
the Cripps Health Centre that the centre is aware of the case and is responding.
Advice given by the appropriate medical authorities must be followed in all
cases.
The detailed guidance is reproduced below.
SARS: - Up-to-the minute guidance and further sources of information
Enquiries have been received about this illness seeking any advice which is
available.
As you may have seen in the press, the cause of the infection and its transmission
is not yet fully understood. Information on SARS is available on the Department
of Health Website http://www.doh.gov.uk/sars/index.htm. Other sources of advice
are:
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office website http://www.fco.gov.uk
World Health Organisation website http://www.who.int/en/
The PHLS website http://www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/SARS/menu.htm
The FCO identifies countries to which travel is not advised. The University
will continue to monitor the situation as it develops.
The present position of the University is as follows:
- Travel should not be undertaken to areas for which there is official advice
against this unless absolutely essential. Visits to conferences in such areas
are not considered to be essential.
- Students and staff returning from an affected area should have been aware
of their health during their stay and should monitor this for at least ten
days after leaving the area. Should they develop flu-like symptoms (high fever
accompanied by cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty in breathing) they
should seek medical attention immediately and avoid contact with others.
- Should anyone returning from an affected area become aware of friends or
relatives, with whom they have been in close contact during their stay, becoming
ill with such symptoms they should inform their doctor and avoid all unnecessary
contact where there may be a risk of spreading the infection.
- If anyone has concerns about symptoms which may indicate SARS infection,
they should telephone their GP or Cripps Health Centre if registered there,
and should not attend in person. Cripps Health Centre will advise what steps
should then be taken, which may include a home visit. This will minimise the
possibility of transmission of the infection. During the period when the symptoms
become evident, it is important that contact with others is avoided and that
medical advice is followed carefully at all times.
- The Safety Office and Occupational Health can offer further information.
Keith Jones
Registrar
The University of Nottingham
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